Over the last 20 years, Leeds United has seen a number of players leave and go on to tremendous success.

Leeds, once at the summit of English football, is now one of several clubs that serve as a stepping stone for those with the wealth to join Europe’s elite.

Two recent examples are Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. Despite being a Premier League club at the time, Leeds pursued moves to Manchester City and Barcelona, where they won a couple of titles each. However, the former could be returning to Elland Road this summer.

Going back further, and perhaps to a lesser extent to Phillips and Raphinha, Leeds used to lose crucial players for pennies to clubs that shouldn’t have been able to do so.

Norwich City signed Bradley Johnson, Jonny Howson, Robert Snodgrass, and Luciano Becchio from Leeds over the course of a couple years. That was basically the backbone of Leeds‘ League One promotion team.

Losing such players for so little money is why it took Leeds ten years to return to the Premier League after being promoted from League One. Even then, it was due to the appointment of a special manager, Marcelo Bielsa.

Kasper Schmeichel explains why he didn’t really like Leeds’ time.

Following Leeds’ promotion from the third division, it appeared that they were on track to go back-to-back under Simon Grayson.

As it turned out, Leeds finished eighth and narrowly outside the play-offs, thanks in large part to Ken Bates‘ lack of investment in an incredibly porous defence.

Kasper Schmeichel was the man tasked with playing behind that back four, having joined from Notts County in the summer before promotion.

Despite a successful debut season, Schmeichel left Leeds after just one year to join fellow Championship club Leicester City, where he went on to win the Premier League and the FA Cup.

Schmeichel has spoken out on the current episode of the ‘Rest Is Football Podcast’ regarding his time at Leeds and the reasons behind his departure, noting a particular fan chant against his father Peter, who formerly played for Manchester United.

He stated: “I didn’t like my time at Leeds, which is unfortunate since it’s a wonderful club. I believe it was the wrong time, location, and person.

“I was quite immature in my behaviour, and I felt at the time that some of the things mentioned about my father were really insulting.

“Look, I understand the rivalry exists. But calling my father specific names is not going to endear me, even if you claim I’m alright.

“They used to sing a chant that I won’t repeat; saying your father is something, but I’m OK. I’m older now, and I get the banter, but you’re still calling my Dad something that will never sit right with me.

“We had a decent season, finishing just outside the playoffs, but the manager blamed me for surrendering too many goals when I was sidelined for two months, and I believe they lost 7-4 in those games. 6-0 and 5-0.”